Tag: West Midlands

OUT TODAY: Raphael Tate Returns With Soulful Single ‘Gotta Hold On’ From Album Love, Grieve and Live

Following his appearance on ITV’s Starstruck, where he impersonated the Godfather of Soul James Brown earlier in this year (2023), RAPHAEL TATE – known fondly as the Prince of Soul by his fans – is back in the spotlight with album, ‘Love, Grieve Live’ out today (18th August) via his label, Tate Love Productions.

The nine track album includes previously released singles – the orchestral-led ballad, ‘Lord I Need You Near’ (featuring acclaimed jazz musician JeffMajors), which received a seal of approval from BBC Radio Derby’s Pam Sidhu; ‘Here Without You’, supported by BBC Radio Stoke plus radio stations around the globe, and Reprezent Radio favourite, ‘Everyday Is Mother’s Day’.

‘Love Grieve and Live’ album mirrors the cycle of losing a dear one: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Raphael knows all too well what it’s like to be on the turbulent journey: in 2020, his mother unexpectedly passed away and understandably Raphael went through a rollercoaster of emotions.

Alongside the release of the album, Raphael also shares fifth track, ‘Gotta Hold On’, which arguably acts as an anchor of survival to the cycle of grief. With esteemed jazz/soul musician Mark A. Walker providing guitar riffs which adds an edge of funk to the soulful piece, ‘Gotta Hold On’ serves as the perfect platform for Raphael’s heartfelt powerhouse vocals to deliver an inspirational and powerful message of losing someone: it’s OK not to be OK, as those dark moments are in actual fact a fundamental part of the healing process.

Since impressing judges Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, Rowland Keating and Jason Mansford with his slick moves as James Brown on ITV’s StarStruck, Washington DC-born Raphael has recently become a member of The Recording Academy/Grammy Awards Class of 2023 (Washington DC Chapter). With back-to-back performance across The Midlands – where he now calls home – and across the UK, Raphael manages to find the time to offer some healing with his new heartfelt album and single ‘Gotta Hold On’, both out now across various music platforms.

Follow Raphael Tate via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/RaphaelTateofficial
T: https://twitter.com/TateRaphael
IG: https://www.instagram.com/raphaeltateofficial/

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Song of the Day: I’m Drinkin Rum – Sovereign Tugz

SOVEREIGN TUGZ hits the ground running with his first single of 2023 ‘Im drinkin’ rum, a promotional song for the Im Drinkin rum brand. After being performed live for crowds at Telford’s Jerk fest in 2022, it is out now.

This new release is sure to be a hit with fans of both Sovereign Tugz and ID Rum. With both Tugz and Just Dan doing their thing over this Error produced instrumental, this song is sure to get everyone up on their feet, while the smooth taste of ID Rum will provide the perfect accompaniment for any night out.

Hailing from the Black Country area of the West Midlands, rapper and entrepreneur Sovereign Tugz (formerly known as Thugz SNE ) has long been an advocate of the independent grind; a recognisable trait that has shown its head repeatedly in both life and in music. Predominantly known as a rapper, Tugz can also be found in the studio as executive producer and engineer for other artists, some who ended up signing to his record label See No Equal Entertainment. As a musician Tugz is mainly a hip hop artist but has always shown the ability to transfer those skills to genres outside of his own, such as his feature on Rose Bates’ Rewind (Remastered) The name Sovereign Tugz came about to emphasise the importance of freedom and independence, something that is seen in his consistent work ethic and stoic mindset.

Since 2010 Tugz has been self releasing projects and singles, each one better than the last with the latest project being 2015’s Streets 2 Tha Studio which was followed up with a barrage of singles such as The Bad Guy and other ventures such as SNE Online, a Hip hop only radio station that connected listeners and shows across the world and his all new OG rolling Papers, just a few examples of the hustlers ambition that had gained him recognition in 2018’s ‘Uprising’ documentary which had featured in cinemas and film festivals in The UK, Europe and America.

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Raphael Tate Opens Up About His Loss In Single, ‘Here Without You’

Premiered on BBC radio Derby, RAPHAEL TATE‘s new single, ‘Here without You’ is about different forms of grief we all encounter on a daily basis – from a bad break up, an estranged relationship from one’s child, and the extreme loss of losing a loved one. Surrounded by a breathtakingly stunning orchestration, Raphael brings awareness that suffering from any form of grief in silence can be detrimental to our mental and physical wellbeing.

Speaking of the inspiration behind ‘Here Without You’, Raphael confides: “This song is a personal reflection of what I have had to endure the last 13years from the estranged relationship from my first born son and the recent tragic loss of my Mother in May 2020. This composition was created to empathise and sympathise, with people like myself who are battling daily with different forms of grief – to show them strength, courage and perseverance. I wanted to share the message that you can and will make it through these challenges, if you just believe. I am leading by example how we can use our gifts in the arts as a major outlet to no longer sit in silence but openly express or communicate our challenges.”

2022 has been quite a year for Staffordshire-based powerhouse. Since his compelling ballad ‘Lord I Need You Near’- which also deals with the loss of his mother- was picked up by BBC Derby’s Pam Sidhu, Raphael has become a clear favourite with the regional station and went on to perform at BBC Derby charity, Beat The January Blues earlier in 2023. Raphael performance at the charity was aired on BBC One’s East Midlands Today.

Raphael recently took the stage on ITV’s Starstruck, and gave an outstanding performance as James Brown, impressing judges Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, Rowland Keating and Jason Mansford. Can you watch his performance here. To see more footage on Raphael at Starstruck, please hear over to his IG account.

Now Raphael turns his attention to offering an ode anyone who’s lost in grief and needs a friendly ear with his latest single, ‘Here Without You’, which forms part of his upcoming album, ‘Love Grieve Live’.

Connect with Raphael Tate via:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/RaphaelTateofficial
T: https://twitter.com/TateRaphael
IG: https://www.instagram.com/raphaeltateofficial/

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Raphael Tate Gives A Touching Tribute To His Mother With Stunning Single, ‘Lord I Need You Near’

Following on from the release of single, ‘Share My Life’, produced by Jermaine Forde (the son of Brinsley Forde from the legendary reggae group Aswad), RAPHAEL TATE makes a quick return with single, ‘Lord I Need You Near.’

Dedicated to Raphael’s mother, Patricia Ann Tate (1953-2020), ‘Lord I Need You Near’ is the first single that Raphael entirely composed and produced – from arranging the strings to performing the backing vocals. To be a conductor and composer has always been Raphael’s lifelong dream – and what better way to fulfil a dream by paying a tribute to a loved-one.

The stunning ballad features a stellar line-up who adds the final touches to the production. Award-winning jazz harpist JeffMajors, who collaborated with Raphael for 2021 single, ‘Everything Must Change’, provides the spine-tingling magic right from the beginning of the emotive piece.

Acclaimed bassist Mark A Walker adds a pleasing full-bodied tone to the heavenly arrangements. Mark has worked with the likes of Will Downing, Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music, Yolanda Adams and multi award-winning Gospel artist, Richard Smallwood who had a hit with single, ‘Total Praise.’

‘Lord I Need You Near’ was further brought to life by Ukraine’s Kaska Records Orchestra who provides breathtakingly stunning live instrumentation, a perfect platform for the UK-based singer/songwriter to showcase his powerhouse vocals, pleading for comfort from the loss of his mother. This single also serves as a soothing ode for everyone who lost a loved one, particularly during the pandemic.

Starting out as a Billboard chart-topping artist, peaking at number 25 on the American Dance Club with 2017 single, ‘ With Every Beat Of My Heart’, Raphael ventured out as an independent artist, creating his own label, Tate Love Production. His soulful vocal performance quickly earned him the title, ‘Prince Of Soul’ by his ever growing fanbase through tracks, ‘A Fool In Love’ and ‘Everyday Is Mother’s Day’, ‘Can You Feel It’ and ‘Blessed’, named Track of the Week by Premiere Gospel.

BBC London/Seani B-approved single ‘A Fool In Love’ and Reprezent FM featured single ‘Everyday Is Mother’s Day’ are also touching tributes to his late mother. ‘I Need You Near’ is the perfect tribute carry on the treasured memories of the biggest role model in his life.

Taking from the forthcoming EP Patricia Ann Tate Creations (release date to be announced) ‘Lord I Need You Near’ was released on Friday (13th May) on various music platforms. The release date marks the second anniversary of Raphael’s mother passing. Have a peep at the offcial video single below. You can also stream ‘Lord I Need You Near’ here.

Follow Raphael via:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/RaphaelTateofficial
T: https://twitter.com/TateRaphael
IG: https://www.instagram.com/raphaeltateofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7xdO1FCjL6wuO5X1f2cguR

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New Lease Music’s Top Ten Songs of 2019

Here’s NEW LEASE MUSIC’s top ten music videos of 2019! Based on both readers viewing and editor picks, a few of the singles featured were first shown on the blog in the previous year (2018) and managed to held on for a well-deserved place on this list.

Go ahead and check out the videos below and I hope you enjoyed the top ten lists

10. HARD LABOR – LIQUID

9. JEALOUS – ASTHA

8. DRIVER – GOLD COMPLEX

7. SIMMER DOWN – SHIRAZ HEMPSTOCK

6. PROPERLY – NIZZY

5. DON’T GIVE UP – MAGGIE SZABO

4. LIAR – LUKE FRIEND

3. SOLILOQUY (WOULDN’T FEEL ALONE) – MARSHALL CECIL

2. SWEET LITTLE LIES – BÜLOW

1. Duro Dada Bimbi Philips 


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